SDCC, Slashers & Gwen Stacy
Farewells, Fangoria, and finding your way through inbox limbo
Hello, friends!
How are you?
I'm still recovering from SDCC. The week was as wild and wonderful as ever, with the added emotion of saying goodbye to the High Republic with our final panel, signing and meal. I mean, we'll all see each other again, but this was the last time getting together while this initial storytelling period was live.
A meal out with my High Republic buddies and playing the fool with George Mann and Harvey Tolibao at a Dark Horse signing
I never take enough photos at SDCC, but hey, maybe that's not a bad thing. You've got to live in the moment, haven't you? And, when you're at SDCC, you need to geek out. Which I did. A lot.
Sometimes I think SDCC is just the inside of my head on display.
But I was good and limited myself to only a few purchases. No books (it's a miracle), three t-shirts, a couple of pins and... something special!
I mean... I had to, right?
As some of you know, I have a condition called HNPP – Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy – which, in short, means that sometimes my nerves don't always play ball. Most days I'm fine, others I need help from a cane... and if you're going to have a cane, why not invoke your inner Lon Chaney Jr?
Say it with me: "Even a man who is pure at heart, and says his prayers by night..."
Of course, one of the highlights of the show is unexpected reunions, and this year brought one of the best. A few days before arriving in San Diego, I learned that my brilliant friend Samantha Beart was in town as a guest of Funko Pops. Most of you will know Sam these days as Karlach in the incredible Baldur's Gate 3, but we first worked together years ago on Vienna, an audio series I produced for Big Finish that also starred Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Chase Masterson. When I realised that Chase herself was also at SDCC – presenting the Eisner Awardss, no less – I knew I had to get the gang back together!
George Mann crashing the Vienna crew – plus the team back in the day!
Wonderful!
BACK AT MY DESK... AND PLAYING THE FREELANCE WAITING GAME
That all seems so long ago now, even though it's only been a few weeks – although I have to admit, I'm still recovering. That's the other drawback of HNPP: it can zap your energy, so I'm still low on juice.
Fortunately (!) I’m in one of those freelance spells where you’re waiting for people to get back to you on… well, just about everything! Replies. Decisions. Movement on projects. Everything just pauses. It's all part of the job – but that doesn't make it any easier!
If you're in a similar holding pattern, then I feel your pain and know what it's like to refresh your email seventy-nine times a minute. Inbox limbo is a mood that we could all do without.
I've been using the lull to work up pitches I've had on hold for a while and have conversations with other creatives about possible collaborations (including some other High Republic folk – watch this space!) Some of the most important parts of the creative life happen in the gaps – time for thinking, planning, even trying something new.
And it's all too easy to forget that the people we're waiting on are usually swamped too. The editors, producers, and publishers we're waiting on are no doubt juggling inbox avalanches of their own. Or, let's face it, enjoying a summer break!
It's a strange time for the entertainment industry right now. We're all holding our nerves, and it's good to remember that you're not alone.
FANGORIA NAMES NIGHT OF THE SLASHERS AS ONE OF ITS BEST SLASHER COMICS
Okay, this is super cool. Fangoria, a magazine I've read ever since I first started watching scary movies, listed Night of the Slashers in its rundown of its favourite slasher comics!
This made me very, very happy!
If you haven't picked up NOTS it's available right now from Magma Comix and is the story of a bunch of kids that end up in a town where, once a year, EVERYONE becomes a slasher. Script is by me and art by Paul Fry and we're going to be pushing the book HARD as we head back into spooky season.
Plus, to be perfectly honest, Magma could really do with the support right now. Like a lot of smaller publishers they've been hit hard by the Diamond distribution bankruptcy, but are weathering the storm. If you can support them – and our book – by picking up a copy of Night of the Slashers I a) promise not to turn into a blood-soaked maniac and stalk you through a darkened house, and b) will love you forever!
Here are some handy links for purchasing ease:
Bookshop.org UK | Bookshop.org US | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Blackwells UK | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Forbidden Planet
And, of course, you can also ask your friendly neighbourhood comic book store to get you a copy too!
NEW EVENT: MEET THE STORY-TELLERS AT MCM
I'm heading to MCM Comic Con London this October, appearing as part of the Writer's Block on Sunday 26th October.
More info as it comes, and don't forget I'll be also at Noris Force Con in Germany next month!
Hope to see you at one of these events!
Gwenpool #4 is out today! We're getting so near the conclusion and the reveal of just who is under the Architect's mask!
THE DARK GWENPOOL SAGA!
Spider-Man vs. the All-New Gwenpool!
The secret of Gwen Stacy's resurrection laid bare!
Just who — or what — is the Architect?
Here's the preview of the issue if you want to read more.
Poor ol' Gwen Stacy...
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, FOLKS
Okay, I need to double check that inbox... again!
Until next time, look after yourself and each other!
- GWENPOOL #4 Out today!
- GWENPOOL #5 Out September 3rd, 2025.
- STAR WARS: TALES FROM THE NIGHTLANDS #1 Out October 10th, 2025.
- STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC - FEAR OF THE JEDI TRADE PAPERBACK Out October 14th, 2025.
- IRON & FROST #1 Out October 15th.
WHERE TO FIND ME ONLINE
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